Wisconsin is beginning another round of tough debates on
transportation funding, originating in the Walker administration’s sharp pull
to the right in this field as in most others.
In brief, in his pending budget proposal the Governor
continues to pursue the policy direction of increasing funding for state
highways at the expense of transit, local road, and bike/ped.
This time, proponents of a 21st century,
multimodal, environmentally friendly transportation policy have countered with
a crisp, clear alternative – the “10 percent solution” (here). The alternative suggests cutting state highway spending in the
budget by 10 percent, which would permit increasing
spending on transit and local roads by 10 percent and still save money. I have not run the numbers myself, but
based on earlier research I have done on Wisconsin, they seem very realistic.
Congrats to WISPIRG, Sierra Club, and 1000 Friends of
Wisconsin for a first-class effort!
A very important budget topic not addressed by the 10 percent solution is the proposed transfer
of general funds to the transportation fund. As I have stated repeatedly, this is dangerous business for
transportation, effectively diverting money from a variety of social needs and ultimately
pitting advocates for those programs against advocates for transportation.
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